This Is Why The Government Requires Booster Vaccination For Travelers

JAKARTA - Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained the government's reason for making booster vaccinations a condition for people to be free to go home for this year's Eid.

The Minister of Health said that basically President Jokowi wants people to be able to carry out Ramadan worship and celebrate Eid as before, when the pandemic had not yet hit.

However, Jokowi sees that there will be negative impacts if people gather and stay in touch if they have not received immunity protection through vaccination. It is feared that the elderly (elderly) will be exposed to COVID-19 and have an impact on the risk of fatality.

"Parents this Eid are the targets of their children's visits. So, he (Jokowi) very wisely said, 'we celebrate Eid well, but don't let our kindness actually harm the parents who are visited by their children and grandchildren. grandchildren'," said Budi in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, March 23.

"Therefore, he suggested that if you want to go home, it should be boosted so that it minimizes the risk of people being visited later being affected. If the booster is complete, there is no need to test. So, it will make it easier for the homecoming trip to be good," continued the Minister of Health.

In addition, Budi also explained the reason for the government to again allow the Eid al-Fitr 1443 homecoming. Currently, the condition of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia continues to decline until the reproduction number (Rt) is close to 1.

Budi explained, people who have not undergone a booster can still go home but with certain conditions. People who have just vaccinated two doses or a complete dose are required to do an antigen test before traveling. Meanwhile, people who have just received the first dose of vaccine must perform a PCR test.

"When we go home, try to give the injection a complete vaccination plus a booster, it won't need to be tested later. But if there are only two complete doses without a booster, an antigen test must be attached, if one dose is not complete, a PCR test must be attached," said Budi.

The government, said Budi, also offered an alternative for people who did not take the COVID-19 test to go home. They simply follow the booster vaccination when entering the homecoming route.

This vaccination service will be prepared by the Ministry of Transportation through public transportation facilities for those who go home using public transportation or posts at a number of points for those using private vehicles.

"If they want a booster at that time, the Ministry of Transportation will prepare places for free vaccinations in public transport facilities and several posts where people can get a booster injection immediately before going home," said Budi.